Abstract

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report details the collaborative project set up between Sunderland City Council and the University of Sunderland to explore perceptions and provision of healthy food in workplaces across Sunderland. Opinions were sought via interviews and questionnaires. Interviews with employer representatives from large businesses in the Sunderland region were held in July 2024. An employee questionnaire was distributed in October to December 2024 with follow up interviews conducted with a sample of employees during January-February 2025. Participants were 8 employer representatives, 78 individuals completing the employees’ questionnaire and a further 2 participating in an employee interview. The major themes developed for both employers’ representatives and employees were identified to either act on a personal level, or to have been influenced by workplace determinants. Within these, a number of sub-themes were identified, many of which were common to both groups of participants: aspects of time, knowledge, habits, financial, healthy lifestyle promotion, facilities and food offerings.

Across all employment types, participants suggested potential barriers to developing and sustaining a healthy diet, including limited availability to purchase, store, or prepare food within their workplace. There is scope for employers to enhance their role in supporting positive employee health motivation and behaviours through broad and consistent provisions. Enablers for developing and maintaining healthy dietary habits were also identified including; workforce education by employers, availability of appealing hot and cold healthy offerings with nutritional information, availability of food preparation facilities, and the incentivised promotion of healthy lifestyles.